Accelerating Trauma Care: Innovations in Patient Fast-Tracking (Live)-Handout: Accelerating Trauma Care

Handout: Accelerating Trauma Care

Pdf Summary

The "Accelerating Trauma Care: Innovations in Patient Fast-Tracking" presentation by Terri DeWees at Novant Health-New Hanover Regional Medical Center addresses improving trauma patient care efficiency. Organized by the Trauma Center Association of America (TCAA), the activity offers continuing medical education credits to participating physicians and nurses. The key focus is differentiating between urgent trauma evaluations and consults while implementing standardized guidelines for fast-tracking non-activated trauma patients. Objectives include overcoming barriers to trauma care enhancement and tracking metrics to gauge process success.<br /><br />Historically, a 2021 ACS verification visit highlighted gaps in timely evaluation for non-activated trauma patients. Efforts were made to address Medicare trauma claim audits and align charges appropriately with service levels. The presentation emphasizes the need for rapid assessment to prevent over-triage and incorrect billing, with redesigned activation criteria based on the American College of Surgeons (ACS) guidelines. This includes collaborating with emergency medical staff to make alignment adjustments for elderly ground-level falls.<br /><br />A categorized system (Adult Red, Yellow, Green) is used, indicating severity and required actions based on factors like Glasgow Coma Scale, respiratory status, and injury type. Improvements noted include reduced over-triage rates and better alignment of activation charges, relaying some responsibility to emergency department providers for rapid patient evaluations. Results show length-of-stay reductions, quicker interventions for serious injuries, and enhanced emergency department throughput.<br /><br />Ongoing work involves refining evaluation timings and engaging ED providers in swift decision-making, while system transitions present challenges. Future opportunities entail proper triage to avoid overburdening trauma green patient resources, accurate patient tracking, and annual criteria reevaluations. This initiative demonstrates a continuous commitment to optimizing trauma patient outcomes through efficient, rapid response methods.

Keywords

Trauma Care

Patient Fast-Tracking

Terri DeWees

Novant Health

Trauma Center Association of America

ACS Guidelines

Over-Triage

Emergency Department

Patient Outcomes

Rapid Assessment